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Your moody teen could be depressed
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Maybe those low marks in school, the binge drinking and that ' bad attitude' has more to do with loneliness and despair than being a moody, wanton teenager.
An influential government-appointed medical panel is urging doctors to routinely screen all American teens for depression.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recent recommendations are considered a bold step that acknowledges that nearly 2 million teens are affected by this debilitating condition.
An estimated 6 percent of U.S. teenagers are clinically depressed. Evidence shows that detailed but simple questionnaires can accurately diagnose depression in primary-care settings such as a pediatrician's office.
The task force sets guidelines for doctors on a host of health issues. Its recommendations go farther than the American Academy of Pediatrics' own guidance for teen depression screening.
Sarah Greenwell, a pediatric psychologist at Children's Medical Center of Dayton, said the pediatrician given screenings — which can include questions on thoughts of suicide and change in mood and behavior — can become an important tool to help depressed teens.
"Pediatricians see children on a regular basis (and) they know the family. There's some trust there," she said. "There is a lot of depression in children that is missed. (A screener) kind of pinpoints at risk children."
Because depression can lead to persistent sadness, social isolation, school problems and even suicide, the task force says, screening to treat it early is crucial.
It is important, Greenwell said, that parents acknowledge suicidal thoughts if they seem real or not.
"Any sort of statement a child makes about a desire to harm themselves should be taken seriously," she added.
Dale Eilerman, a licensed counselor and director of organizational learning for Samaritan Behavioral Health, said it can be difficult to tell the difference between normal childhood moodiness and real depression.
But it is vital to be aware of clues.
"There is a lot of pressure for teens to be popular that they often do things to fit in that they regret," he said, adding that irritability, sexual behavior and acting "cool" is sometimes a mask for a deeper issue.
"Families need to try to be family," he said. "Spend time as a family. Eat meals together. (Have) open relations where the children can confide in the parents and talk about the stresses in their life."
Samaritan Behavioral Health, which operates the Samaritan CrisisCare hotline, treats about 1,500 school-age clients.
Eilerman said the present economic uncertainties puts even more stress on kids.
"There are children, teens included, that are having to move out of their home and leave their schools," he said.
Teen depression can be compounded by depression experienced by a parent or another loved one.
"That complicates it," he said. "Sometimes it is important to come in as a family and not just as an individual."
Samaritan Behavioral Health offers free online mental health screening for depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress and generalized anxiety at http://www.sbhihelp.org.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2384 or arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com. Robinson is on Twitter at Twitter.com/DDNSmartmouth.
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Comments
By Robert Miller
April 21, 2009 2:52 PM | Link to this
If the Phsychologist and Doctors all had thier way we would all be on drugs . Depression is a normal part of life , deal with it . Look at your problem in a positive veiw instead of the negative side . No one ever promised you a rose garden . We will all have to deal with stress and depression at some point of our life . It will only make you stronger and a better person. If they can not deal with being a teen , what makes you think that they will be able to deal with Adulthood when needed.
By rudy
April 8, 2009 7:33 AM | Link to this
Well, your parents won’t help you if they refuse to believe that anything is wrong (or that they might be part of the problem). I wish somebody had noticed how awful I felt; I wish I hadn’t been berated and accused of exaggerating when I asked to go to therapy.
Twelve years later, I’m dealing with it, as an adult, with a therapist’s help. For those of you suspicious about the efficacy of drugs or drug companies’ influence, don’t rule out finding a good therapist. Please help your child.
By flipper
April 7, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
All children need to learn how to control their mood swings. Talking to peers and mentors is a better approach than medication. Maybe going to church could help as well. That would be a novel idea, wouldn’t it!
By Letsdrugemall
April 7, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this
I wonder how many of the people doing this study have some sort of financial support from a drug company? I also wonder how many parents will read crap like this and then run out and have their teen treated with medication.
Teens are moody. Big friggin’s surprise.
I would suggest if your teen is not moody then you might have some reason to worry.
By Carl
April 7, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this
OK so now when a teen goes nuts its because he/she is depressed. It makes me depressed thinking about it. Its not that the teen is responsible for there own actions its because they are depreesed. Its someone elses fault or in todays world someone makeing over 40/m a years fault or Bushes fault or someone not thinking good green thoughts or the parents didn’t give them all the things of life fault. Surly not the teens fault. Than some poor slub has to try to get this kid to work.
By Martin
April 7, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this
Step mom, you are right on. I work with kids everyday and see the mood swings created by untreated diabetes. Allergies are another overlooked avenue to investigate. Rob, I am curious about your age. Depression is rampant in kids today. This is not an easy time to grow up, especially for the many kids in the inner city who live in poverty. Nothing is as it was. In my generation we went to school or got a job and raised a family, pretty cut and dry; today,there is little stability anywhere.
By rob
April 7, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this
OR THEY COULD JUST BE TEENAGERS??? i was a moody pain in the a**, it wasnt that i was depressed or had diabetes, i just had hormones going crazy. Why is it these days there always has to be something wrong with kids???
By Step mom
April 7, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this
Also with the mood swings, have your children checked for sugar diabetes. My step daughter in her late teens was just recently diagnosed with sugar. And, even to this day when her moods strike, it normally means her sugar is out of control. Sometimes she is very hard to live in the same house with… So, no matter what the age, always ask the doctor to check sugar levels, blood work. We had no idea she had a sugar problem…… Best of Luck!